Wildlife

You can tell certain bands are young the moment their opening chords burst through your speakers. On their debut EP, Toronto's Wildlife have that high-velocity, dramatically exuberant thing going on, and it makes for a fun listen (and, one can only assume, an even more fun live show).

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It's fast-strummed, passionately delivered indie rock, and when the gang vocals and reverb roll in, as in opener Stand In The Water, a punkier Arcade Fire comes to mind. They cite familiar influences (Springsteen, Bowie, the Clash) and fall into that youthful trap of declaring them a little too obviously. And here's hoping they vary the tempo and dynamics a little more on their forthcoming full-length, out this fall.

Still, the five-piece's spirited melodies will get you on the dance floor.